Our state and federal members have alleged that the new environmental legislation will mean fewer jobs, and that Labor did not negotiate with the Liberals and Nationals (GT 05/12/25).
That seems a bit rich when the Liberal National state government this year cancelled two large projects in the Gympie Region, one privately funded, one state funded.
The new federal environmental legislation will make environmental approval process faster and the guidelines clearer, thus supporting employment. For that reason many business groups support the legislation.
The Labor government sought to negotiate with the Liberals and Nationals. Business groups encouraged the Liberals and Nationals to negotiate.
In the end the Greens were more willing to negotiate and to compromise.
If the Liberals and Nationals think the legislation is too pro-environment and anti-development, they have only themselves to blame.
Dan Stewart,
East Deep Creek
